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How Life In The 17th Century Influenced Poetry
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| Typical lower class dressing style of a woman in those times |
John Donne’s poetry is considered as metaphysical. This was a late 16th century and early 17th century poetry style
and most of their works involved a common subject which investigated the world by rational discussion of its phenomena rather
than by intuition or mysticism.Their poety was inspired by a philosophical conception of the universe and the role assigned
to the human spirit in the great drama of existence. 17th century was a time of intense ferment in the areas of religion,
science, politics, domestic relations and culture which was reflected in the literature of that era.
Strata and Society
Life in the 17th century depended on which which strata of society a person was born into. The common man and woman had to
be satisfied with their lot in life for the chances of improving their position was almost nil. The only escape was to join
the army or navy and gather plunder in one of the many campaigns being waged in the world. The possible gains had to weighed
against the chances of death and serious injury. For those who were born in rich families like John Donne, life came in a
silver platter. they got what they wanted and life was easier. The rich had a was to preserve their wealth, parents arranged
unions for their children far in advance with a view to increasing the family's standing and property.
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| A family potrait of typical family. The husband was the head of the family and he led the family. |
Family Roles
Gender hierachy was followed in all the families of the time. The husband was on the top with the patriarchal role as governor
of his family and household. The wife, children, wards, and servants were assumed to have been instituted by God and nature.The
family was seen as the secure foundation of society and the patriarch's role as analogous to that of God in the universe and
the king in the state. Women were continually instructed that their spiritual and social worth resided above all else in their
practice of and reputation for chastity.Unmarried virgins and wives were to maintain silence in the public places and give
unstinting obedience to fathers and husband, though widows had some scope for making their own decisions and managing their
affairs. Their were strict family roles that were to be followed and they even had books to ensure that the th order was obseved.
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| A man in formal wear. His dressing reflects that he comes from the rich in society. |
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| Typical 1613 hairstyle of a woman in wearing a silhouette. |
Fashion
Fashion reflected the mainstream division
in the strata and status in society. Fashion also reflected the religion and were broadened by reformations in the the life
of that time. For example, members of various conservative sects of Protestantism in this period developed "plain dress"
as a form of anti-fashion, and conservative clergy preach sermons on the sinfulness of fine dress. The dressing of the poor
was noticebly rugged and torn, which was not the case to the rich in this society.The rich had different form of dressing
that reflected their position from other is in this stratified society. The silhouette was their main dress of fashion. It
was characterized by the disappearance of the ruff in favour of broad lace or linen collars. Waistlines rose through the period
for both men and women but with time it was softenned and broadenned. women wore gowns, bodices and petticoats whereas men
wore shirts doulblets and jerkins. Hair was worn feathered high over the head for women and men wore hats.
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| Potrait of Isaac Newton in 1702. He is one of the major contributors in science. |
Science and Philosophy
The 17th century was also a period When most of the modern philososphy and science began. Isaac Newton, Gallileo Galilei
and Blaise Pascal were notable scientist of the time.They led in various inventions in science, health and engineering which,
has made a notable change in human life compared to what it was back then. 17th century was period of enlightment and the
various inventions and contribution by philisophy clearly support the idea of what was going on in this period.
Considering the life and times that the people of the 17th century lived, Their lifestyle influenced most of the works
by John Donne. In writing his poetry, John Donne was trying to discover more about the world. He was influenced by the philosophical
conception about the world, about life love and death. He had faced many challanged in life, with the death of his parents
and most of his relatives and children. He faced persecution in his church until he converted to and Anglican Church where
he later became a preacher and wrote most of his sermons, poems and holly sonnets. Life in the 17th Century was critical
and it was what that had influenced John donne in writing sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations epigrams,
elegies, songs, satires and sermons.
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